Thermometer with age specific feature selection

ABSTRACT

A thermometer has temperature sensing tip, a processor taking temperature readings and determining a sensed temperature reading of the living being from the temperature sensing tip. The thermometer also includes a display and a backlight for lighting the display. The backlight is activated upon a command from the processor and the processor determines whether to activate the backlight based upon the temperature readings. The method embodiment can includes the steps of using the processor to monitor a temperature change indicated by a temperature sensing element. The processor then detects a temperature decrease and activates a first color light emitting element to backlight a display if the temperature decrease exceeds or equals a predetermined threshold. The thermometer is operable in one of a plurality of selectable operating modes, and the predetermined threshold is dependent upon the selected operating mode. For example, operating modes may depend on patient age range or measurement location. Age range may include infant, toddler and adult.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/966,697, filed Dec. 13, 2010, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electronic thermometer for detectingand visually displaying ranges of body temperature of a patient. Moreparticularly, the present invention pertains to a clinical thermometerwith one or more visual indicators that are personalized to a trait ofthe patient.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

There are multiple types of thermometers, including hand held electronicthermometers and glass-tube mercury thermometers. The glass-tube mercurythermometers have gradated scales colored or etched into the glass tubeand once the mercury rises and settles in the glass tube due to thetemperature of the patient, a user can read the temperature from thescale, calibrated for Fahrenheit or Centigrade. Glass-tube thermometershave a number of drawbacks, including the difficulty of reading atemperature from the gradated scale based on the mercury level.

As an improvement, hand held electronic thermometers have beenintroduced. In the basic electronic thermometer design, a temperaturesensing element is connected to a combined, battery-powered computingand display element. The display element is typically a viewing windowprovided for the temperature display wherein the temperature isdisplayed numerically in either Fahrenheit or Centigrade. Themulti-segment liquid crystal display (LCD) displays of the electronicthermometers are simple to read and can provide a patient's temperaturein tenths of a degree.

However, regardless of the means to display the patient's temperature,the user still must remember the proper temperature ranges for normal,warm and fever conditions. Furthermore, these ranges may vary dependingupon one or more traits of the patient, such as age, or upon ameasurement location, such as oral, rectal, underarm, forehead, behindthe ear, etc. For example, it is known that the temperature rangeassociated with a normal body temperature, a low fever, and a high fevercan vary with the age of the patient. Newborns (e.g., about 0-3 months)have a range of normal body temperature of 97.3° F. to 100.3° F., andhave fever (including high fever) at ≧100.4° F. Because infancy is acritical age for fever, any fever at a temperature ≧100.4° F. isconsidered severe. On the other hand, toddlers (e.g., about 3-36 months)have a range of normal body temperature of 96.6° F. to 100.5° F., a lowfever range of ≧100.6° F. to 102.2° F., and a high fever rangeof >102.2° F. Older persons (e.g., age greater than 36 months toadulthood) have a range of normal body temperature of 95.7° F. to 99.9°F., a low fever range of ≧100.0° F.-103.0° F., and a high fever range of≧102.2° F. Typically a user must consult a guide or chart to determineif the temperature read poses a threat to the patient.

Additionally, while an electronic thermometer is easier to read than aglass-tube thermometer, it can still be difficult to read for those withpoor vision. Thus, conventional thermometers lack a cost-effective,easily identifiable indication of the measured temperature.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,350,973 to Craig et al. (“Craig”) discloses a colorchanging thermometer with a backlight and a method for lighting thebacklight. The thermometer has a temperature sensing tip and a processorthat takes temperature readings and determines a sensed temperaturereading of a living being from the temperature sensing tip. Thethermometer also includes a display and a backlight for lighting thedisplay. The backlight is activated upon a command from the processorand the processor determines whether a decrease in the temperaturereadings exceeds or is equal to a predetermined threshold in order toactivate the backlight. The method embodiment can includes the steps ofusing the processor to monitor a temperature change indicated by atemperature sensing element. The processor then detects a temperaturedecrease and activates a first color light emitting element to backlighta display if the temperature decrease exceeds or equals a predeterminedthreshold.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,878 to Weiss et al. (“Weiss”) discloses athermometer that lights a backlight only on the detection that thetemperature reading is complete. If the temperature reading is notcompleted, the backlight will not be activated. Thus, if the patientaccidentally interrupts the reading, the patient will not receive thebenefit of the backlight to enable them to see the display. Also, in oneembodiment, Weiss' thermometer shuts the backlight off after apredetermined time. If the patient leaves the thermometer in place afterthe reading longer than the predetermined time, the patient will not getthe benefit of the backlight when the patient actually reads thedisplayed temperature.

In an alternate embodiment, Weiss discloses that the backlight does notshut off until the on/off switch is pressed. This can lead to a drain onthe battery and lower the service life of both the battery and thethermometer. The thermometer can be left in the patient for asignificant amount of time, if the caregiver is away from the patientattending to other matters. Weiss' thermometer will be backlit theentire time, draining the battery unnecessarily.

A number of U.S. patents disclose thermometers with audible alarms if apatient's temperature is high enough to indicate a fever or once thereading is completed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,798 to Watanabedescribes an electronic thermometer with an electronic buzzer that isused to indicate the completion of a temperature measurement. Watanabedoes not disclose an indicator based on the specific temperature of theparticular patient.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,258 to Tseng discloses an electronic thermometerdesigned to display a digital temperature signal under all temperaturereading conditions. Tseng then produces a fever alarm indication byoptionally flashing the temperature readout and/or sounding a buzzer.Thus, if the patient does not have a fever, the user must still read thedisplay to determine the temperature of the patient. Tseng does notprovide audio or visual signals for any other temperature range.

Visual signals identifying the relative temperature of an engine'scooling water are also known. U.S. Pat. No. 6,778,095 to Lo disclosespointer-type meters for vehicles and linking a gradated color scale tothe reading determined by the meter. As an initial point, Lo does notrelate to thermometry for living beings. Further, Lo does not sense thetemperature of the water directly, but senses the displacement of thepointer needle and lights the appropriately colored light. Lo must sensethe physical displacement of the pointer to allow the system to beinterchangeable with any pointer-type meter. Thus, Lo requires apointer-type meter and triggers the illumination indirectly by readingthe physical displacement of the pointer and not the actual temperature.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,441,726 to Voto et al. (“Voto”) also discloses a warningsystem for a vehicle instrument cluster wherein the gages can be backlitor have a gradated color scale. The colored lights can be steady on/offor can flash. As with Lo, Voto does not relate to thermometry for livingbeings. Additionally, Voto does not replace the standard display, butilluminates the standard gauges in a vehicle instrument cluster. Thus,the user may be confronted with a confusing display of both analogue andcolored visual stimuli.

Further, using either Lo's or Voto's inventions in a thermometer forliving beings is both size and cost prohibitive, since both a readoutdisplay and a colored scale display must be included. When included inthe cost of a vehicle, the additional cost for the visual system isnominal. However, for a thermometer designed for living beings, it canbe a substantial proportion of the cost to include both displays.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a low cost, easy to read, coloredvisual display for a thermometer meant for living beings.

Further, there is a need in the art for a low cost, easy to read,colored visual display for a thermometer meant for living beings thatactivates the backlight once the thermometer is removed from thepatient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, an electronic thermometer has a temperature sensingelement connected to a powered processor, a mode selection switch and adisplay. The components are housed in a case having a probe section anda body section. A typical case can be a rigid plastic or any othermaterial.

The processor, mode selection switch and display are secured in the bodysection of the case and the body section can include apower/initialization button. The temperature sensing element is mountedat the end of the probe section and is covered with a conductive cap.

The processor can receive signals from the temperature sensing elementrelated to the temperature of the living being, i.e., the patient, andcan convert the signals to a temperature in either Fahrenheit orCentigrade. The temperature sensing element may operate by varioussensing methods, such as by directly contacting the patient, or bysensing infrared (“IR”) emissions from the patient. The temperature maybe sensed in various body locations on or in the patient, such as mouth,rectum, behind the ear, ear canal, underarm, forehead, etc. Certain bodylocations are more suitably measured using some sensing methods, but notby other sensing methods. The processor can also include a memory forstoring at least one set of ranges of temperatures and an adjustment forthe display. The processor can compare the currently read temperature tothe stored temperature ranges and adjustment values to determine whichelement of the display to illuminate.

A plurality of sets of temperature ranges can be stored in memory, eachset of temperature ranges corresponding to a different measurement mode.A discrete number of measurement modes may be provided, each measurementmode corresponding to a different measurement condition such as acharacteristic of the patient or a measurement location on or in thepatient. The mode selection switch provides a mechanism to select fromamong the available measurement modes and associated sets of temperatureranges. An output indicator provides feedback to the user (i.e., eitherthe patient or an attendant) of what measurement mode has been selected.

The display can include a transparent or “see-through” liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) to display the actual temperature. The body section isformed with an opening, hole, or recess and the LCD is placed inside.The user can see through the LCD and thus through the case. One or morelighting elements, which in an embodiment, can be light emitting diodes(LEDs) or similar light emitting elements, are disposed in the displayand peripheral to the LCD. The light emitting element can backlight thedisplay to illuminate the LCD or be the sole temperature display.

In one embodiment, the light emitting element is capable of generatingdifferent colored light to backlight the display. For example, the lightemitting element can generate a first, second, third, and fourth color.

In another embodiment, the display can include a translucent liquidcrystal display (LCD). The LCD can be any shape, including rectangularand octagonal and can be a “reverse” LCD. A reverse LCD lights thenumerals of the display instead of the background. This increases thevisibility and viewing angle of the LCD.

The display can further include a transparent lens. In an embodiment,the lens can be circular, elliptical, or any other shape to form thedisplay. One or more lighting elements are disposed in the display andperipheral to the LCD. The light emitting element edge lights thedisplay to illuminate the LCD.

The light emitting element is capable of generating different coloredlight to edge light the display. For example, the light emitting elementcan generate a first, second, and third color. The first color, which inan embodiment is green, can correspond to a range of temperaturesindicating a “normal” temperature of the patient. The second color canbe yellow and can indicate that the patient has a low fever and is“warmer” than normal. The third color, which can be red, can indicatethat the patient has a high fever. Additionally, more than one lightemitting element can correspond to the chosen temperature range ormultiple light emitting elements can be illuminated at one time. Forinstance, more light emitting elements may be lit in order to drawattention to a high fever.

The display includes multiple lighting elements, which can be lightemitting diodes (LEDs) or similar light emitting elements. A first lightemitting element can be a first color. A second light emitting elementcan be a second color, a third light emitting element can be a thirdcolor and a fourth light emitting element can be a fourth color, etc.

In an embodiment, the first color can be white and illuminated once thepower/initialization button is pressed and can indicate that thethermometer is ready to read a temperature. The second light emittingelement can illuminate the second color, green, which can indicate a“normal” temperature of the patient for the selected measurement mode.The third color emitted by the third light emitting element can beyellow to indicate that the patient has a low fever and is “warmer” thannormal for the selected measurement mode. The fourth light emittingelement has the fourth color of red that indicates a high fever when thetemperature of the patient is greater than a predetermined threshold forthe selected measurement mode.

In use, in an embodiment the user presses the power/initializationbutton and waits for the first light emitting element to lightindicating that thermometer is ready to read a temperature. The userselects a measurement mode, thereby setting the limits of thetemperature ranges. This embodiment may be suitable for eitherelectronically or mechanically actuated mode select switches. In anotherembodiment, the measurement mode may be selected first, and then theuser presses the power/initialization button. This latter embodiment maybe more suitable for mechanically actuated mode select switches.

The user then places the probe section in contact with the patient tosense the temperature thereof. As the processor receives the temperaturesignal, it accesses memory to determine which range the read temperaturefalls into. The processor then intermittently lights the second lightemitting element as the temperature is being read. The flashing secondlight emitting element indicates that the reading is not complete. Oncethe reading is complete, the second light emitting element can beilluminated steadily, indicating to the user that the reading iscomplete and that the temperature of the patent falls within the “green”range.

If the temperature of the patient increases during the reading, thethird and fourth light emitting elements can also be intermittently lit.The third light emitting element can flash and steadily illuminate thethird color while the reading is within the range calibrated for thethird color. Further, if the temperature of the patient dictates, thefourth light emitting element can flash and then turn steady to indicatethat the reading is complete and the patient has a fever. Thus, as thereading is being taken, the light emitting elements transition from thefirst to the fourth color while flashing and then steadily illuminatethe light emitting element corresponding to the actual temperature ofthe patient. Additionally, more than one light emitting element cancorrespond to the chosen temperature range or multiple light emittingelements can be illuminated at one time.

A method to activate the backlight emitting element has the steps of thethermometer beginning the temperature reading cycle and the processortaking the readings from the temperature sensing element. The processorcan look for a temperature increase and if a temperature increase isdetected, it applies an algorithm to determine the temperature of thepatient, such as a “peak and hold” and a “predictive” algorithm, to thereadings. If the processor detects a temperature decrease, it determinesif the decrease is greater than or equal to a preprogrammed threshold.If the temperature drop is greater than or equal to the preprogrammedthreshold, the processor activates the backlight emitting element. Thereason for activating the light emitting element when a temperature dropequals or exceeds the predetermined threshold, is that this is anindicator that the thermometer has been removed from the patient. Whenthe thermometer is removed from the patient, the thermometer typicallyundergoes a temperature drop since it is going from the relatively warmbody environment to the relatively cooler air outside the body. If thetemperature drop is not greater than or equal to the threshold, theprocessor continues to take readings to determine if the temperature isincreasing or decreasing.

Alternatively, once the algorithm is complete, the processor looks for adecrease in temperature and if the temperature drop is greater than orequal to a preprogrammed threshold, the processor activates thebacklight emitting element. If the temperature drop is not greater thanthe threshold, the processor continues to take readings to determine ifthe temperature is decreasing.

The preprogrammed threshold can be based on temperature, time, or numberof readings. The temperature threshold can be if the temperature dropsbetween about 0.1 to about 5° (either Fahrenheit or Centigrade). In oneembodiment, the threshold temperature amount is about 0.1°. Alternately,the threshold can be determined based on the amount of time it takes toachieve a significant drop in temperature without having the patientwait too long for the backlight to activate. This time can vary betweenabout 1 to about 6 seconds. The rate of change in temperature can varybased on the difference in temperature compared to that of the ambientair. Further, evaporation may cause the temperature to drop faster whenremoved from the mouth, compared to removal from a drier location suchas the underarm or behind the ear.

Further, the threshold can be the number of readings in which thetemperature drops. The number of readings can vary between 1 and about10,000, depending on the sampling rate of the thermometer and the lengthof time the thermometer is sampling. Thus, if the processor reads one ormore temperatures where the current reading decreases from the previousreading, the backlight is triggered.

In another embodiment, the backlight may be activated prior to thedetection of a sufficient temperature drop. For instance, the backlightmay be activated when the temperature readings plateau, or when the rateof increase of the temperature readings drops below a predeterminedpositive rate. This may correspond to a time when the temperaturemeasurement is substantially completed, and/or a time when thethermometer has been removed, prior to the occurrence of a sufficientdrop in temperature.

Another method includes a thermometer lighting the first color toindicate that the thermometer is ready to read a temperature from thetemperature sensing element. In one embodiment, the first color canremain illuminated throughout the entire read cycle or shut off after aspecific amount of time or once the temperature reading is begun.

The temperature reading cycle begins and the processor can take thereadings from the temperature sensing element. The processor applies analgorithm and looks for a temperature change. If the temperature isincreasing or steady, the processor determines if the temperaturereading has ended and may continue to apply the algorithm. If theprocessor detects a temperature decrease, it determines if the decreaseis greater than or equal to a preprogrammed threshold. If thetemperature drop is greater than or equal to the preprogrammedthreshold, the processor activates the first color. If the temperaturedrop is not greater than or equal to the threshold, the processorcontinues to take readings to determine if the temperature is increasingor decreasing.

Once the algorithm has ended, the processor determines the sensedtemperature and then looks for a decrease in temperature. If thetemperature drop is greater than or equal to the preprogrammedthreshold, the processor compares the sensed temperature to a firstrange and if the sensed temperature falls within the first range, thesecond color is illuminated. If the sensed temperature does not fallwithin the first range, the processor determines if it falls within asecond range, and if so, illuminates the third color. If the sensedtemperature does not fall within the second range, the processordetermines if it falls within a third range, and if so, illuminates thefourth color. If the sensed temperature does not fall within the threeranges, the first color can be illuminated.

For example, when a patient activates the thermometer, a white lightemitting element can be activated. The processor starts a temperatureread and can optionally turn off the white light emitting element. Ifthe patient removes the thermometer in the middle of the temperatureread, the processor detects the decrease in temperature and activatesthe white light emitting element. If the patient leaves the thermometerin place until the temperature reading is complete, the processor thenwaits to detect a temperature decrease. Once the patient removes thethermometer from the temperature sensing position, the temperature ofthe temperature sensing element drops and is detected by the processor.The processor detects the drop and determines if the drop is larger thana preprogrammed threshold. If the drop is large enough, the processordetermines if the sensed temperature falls within the above-discussedpredetermined ranges. The processor then illuminates either the green,yellow, or red light emitting element depending on which range thesensed temperature falls into.

Embodiments include a thermometer for use with a living being having atemperature sensing tip, a processor taking temperature readings anddetermining a sensed temperature reading of the living being from thetemperature sensing tip. The thermometer also includes a display and abacklight for lighting the display. The backlight is activated upon acommand from the processor and the processor determines whether adecrease in the temperature readings exceeds a predetermined temperatureamount in order to activate the backlight.

A method embodiment includes the steps of using a processor to monitor atemperature change indicated by a temperature sensing element. Theprocessor then detects a temperature decrease and activates a firstcolor light emitting element to backlight a display if the temperaturedecrease exceeds a predetermined amount.

Embodiments can include changing the color scheme to be any range ofcolors. Alternately, all of the light emitting elements can be oneelement capable of emitting a range of colors. The light emittingelements can be differing shades of the same base color. For example,the second color can be a darker green than first color. The sameshading scheme can be used for third and fourth light emitting elements.

Further, multiple light emitting elements can be illuminated to form thenecessary colors. An embodiment can utilize a color scale of blue, greenand yellow, where blue and yellow light emitting elements illuminate toform the green color in the display. Further, intensities of certainbase colors can be used to form any and every color. For example,combinations of red, blue and green can form many colors of the spectrumand these base colors can be used solely to be combined to form thefirst through fourth colors of the above embodiments. The base colorsthemselves may not be a color in the selected range.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and still further objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description of a specific embodiment thereof,especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein like reference numerals in the various figures are utilized todesignate like components, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a color display thermometer of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method to illuminate a backlightof the present invention;

FIGS. 3A-3D are top views of an embodiment of a color displaythermometer of the present invention in different stages ofillumination;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of illuminating multiplecolored backlights of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the color displaythermometer of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the present invention as illustrated inFIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an embodiment of a display element of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b are perspective views of an additional embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 11 is a right side view of a further embodiment of a color displaythermometer of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cutaway view of a first embodiment of a mode select switch;

FIG. 14 is a cutaway view of a second embodiment of a mode selectswitch;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a third embodiment of a mode select switch;and

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a mode selectswitch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an electronic thermometer 100 foruse with a living being is illustrated. A temperature sensing element102 is connected to a powered processor 104 and/or a display 106. Thecomponents are housed in a case 108 having a probe section 110 and abody section 112.

The processor 104 and display 106, and in one embodiment a battery (notillustrated), are secured in the body section 112 of rigid case 108along with an access door (not illustrated), optionally provided forbattery replacement. Further, body section 112 can include apower/initialization button 117. The temperature sensing element 102 ismounted at the end of probe section 110 and covered with a conductivecap 116. The conductive cap 116 can be, for example, metal.

The processor 104 can receive signals from temperature sensing element102 related to the temperature of the living being, i.e., the patient.The processor 104 can convert the signals to a temperature in eitherFahrenheit or Centigrade. The processor 104 can also include a memory118 for storing ranges of temperatures and an adjustment for the display106. Processor 104 can compare the currently read temperature to thestored temperatures and adjustment values to determine what color toilluminate the display 106.

The processor 104 may have more than one measurement mode, in which atleast some of the measurement modes are tailored to at least a firsttrait of a patient, or tailored for different usage of the electronicthermometer 100. For instance, patient age may be a first trait, and sothere may be separate measurement modes for newborns (e.g., less thanabout 3 months old), toddlers (e.g., about 3 to about 36 months old),and adult (e.g., about 36 months and older). The number of measurementmodes may be greater or less than three. The measurement modes may alsobe based on a second patient trait (e.g., body mass index), eitherseparately or in combination with the first trait. The measurement modemay also depend on usage of the electronic thermometer 100, e.g., oral,rectal, and underarm temperature measurements. Operation of processor104 may change in response to the mode selection by, for example,changing the temperature ranges associated with high, normal, and lowtemperature readings.

Temperature ranges for newborns, toddlers, and adult that are associatedwith a normal body temperature, a low fever, and a high fever are knownin the art. At a first level of granularity this provides threemeasurement modes. The ranges can be further refined to take intoaccount known variations due to measurement locations such as oral,rectal, and underarm, providing additional measurement modes. The rangescan be programmed into the electronic thermometer 100 at the time ofmanufacture, or can be updated later by way of a firmware or softwarechange.

Embodiments of the invention are not limited by the technology employedby the temperature sensing element 102. The temperature sensing element102 may operate by direct contact with a body part to be sensed, or mayoperate without direct contact such as by detection of infrared (“IR”)emanations from the body part to be sensed. IR-operated temperaturesensing elements 102 may be useful for some body part locations such asthe ear canal or forehead, but not practical for other body partlocations such as in the mouth or rectum. Direct contact operatedtemperature sensing elements 102 may be useful for body part locationssuch as underarm or in the mouth or rectum, but not preferable for otherlocations, such as in the ear canal where direct contact may risk apunctured eardrum.

The display 106 can include a transparent or “see-through” liquidcrystal display (LCD) 120 for displaying the actual temperature, and inan embodiment, to a tenth of a degree. The body section 112 is formedwith an opening or recess 122 and the LCD 120 is placed inside. The usercan see through LCD 120 and thus through case 108. One or more lightingelements 124, which in an embodiment, can be light emitting diodes(LEDs) or similar light emitting elements, are disposed in the display106 and peripheral to LCD 120. The backlight emitting element 124backlights the display 106 to illuminate the LCD 120. LEDs 124 can alsobe the used without the display 106 and be used as the sole display of asensed temperature Ts.

The electronic thermometer 100 includes a mode select switch 150. Themode select switch 150 can be used to select among the availablemeasurement modes of the processor 104. The embodiment of FIG. 1illustrates mode select switch 150 as a slide switch, which can beuseful for selecting from among a discrete number of modes correspondingto discrete positions or detents of mode select switch 150. A slideswitch could also be configured to interpolate temperature limits basedon a position of the switch between discrete switch positions thatcorrespond to the discrete number of modes. A slide switch embodimentcan include all types of slide switches, such as electronic, mechanicaland electro-mechanical. A mode selection switch 150 that is actuated atleast partially by mechanical methods may be settable to a desired modewhen the electronic thermometer 100 is either on or off.

FIG. 13 illustrates a cutaway view of a slide switch embodiment of themode select switch 150. A Hall Effect sensor 1312 is formed from thecombination of magnet 1303 and one or more Hall elements 1304. The HallEffect sensor 1312 is used to sense the position of the slide switchwithin thermometer housing 1301. A user operates the slide switch bymoving knob 1302 left or right. Knob 1302 is attached to body 1310. Body1310 holds magnet 1303 such that magnet 1303 moves along with knob 1302.As magnet 1303 moves left and right, it approaches one of two Hallelements 1304 and recedes from the other of the two Hall elements 1304,thereby generating an electrical positioning signal by way of the HallEffect. Persons of skill in the art will recognize that a Hall effectsensor 1312 may be operable with a different number of Hall elements1304, such as one Hall element 1304. Thermometer housing 1301 hasmechanically affixed one or more spring-loaded engagement balls (notshown in FIG. 13). The spring end of spring-loaded engagement balls isaffixed to the thermometer housing 1301 and the ball end of thespring-loaded engagement ball engages with indentation 1311 on body1310, thereby providing a stop location for knob 1302. Knob 1302 can bedisengaged from the spring-loaded engagement ball by the application ofa moderate amount of sliding force. Alternatively, the spring-loadedengagement ball can be affixed to body 1310 and one or more engagingindentations 1311 can be located on thermometer housing 1301.

Another embodiment of a mode select switch may be a rotary switch. FIG.14 illustrates a cutaway view of a rotary switch embodiment 1400 of themode select switch 150, implemented as a rotary ring around the display1403, rotating in a plane parallel to the plane of display 1403 andhaving an axis of rotation perpendicular to the display 1403, such thatturning the rotary switch (clockwise and/or counterclockwise) can selectand/or switch between age groups. The rotary switch may also beimplemented as a thumbwheel embedded into a surface (either major oredge surface), such that the axis of rotation of the rotary switch isparallel to the plane of the surface. The rotary switch can include anytype of physical designs, such as electronic, mechanical andelectro-mechanical.

Referring again to FIG. 14, the user controls the rotary switch 1400 byrotating the bezel 1401, which forms the rotary ring around the display1403. One or more Hall elements 1402 magnetically engage with one ormore magnets (not shown in FIG. 14) that are physically coupled to bezel1401 and which move as bezel 1401 is rotated. Detents may providediscrete and repeatable stopping locations for bezel 1401.

Referring now to FIG. 15, another embodiment of a mode select switch mayinclude a secondary button 1501 wherein successive presses of thesecondary button will cycle the processor 104 among the available modes.One or more indicators 1502 can be provided to indicate thecurrently-selected mode. Indicators 1502 may be, for example, a separatelight for each mode, or a single light having a changeablecharacteristic such as color or intensity, or a transient indicator suchas a different number of blinks or an audible indicator when the mode ischanged. A visual indicator such as text or a graphic 1503 may accompanyone or more of indicators 1502 as a reminder to the user of therespective measurement mode. The embodiment includes output display 1504and power/initialization button 1505. A secondary button embodiment caninclude any type of button switches, such as electronic, mechanical andelectro-mechanical.

Referring now to FIG. 16, another embodiment of a mode select switch mayincorporate the mode select switching function into other controls ofelectronic thermometer 1600. For instance, short taps ofpower/initialization button 1601 can be used to select among theavailable measurement modes, while holding down power/initializationbutton 1601 can be used to turn on/off the electronic thermometer 1600.As with the embodiment of FIG. 15, one or more indicators 1602 can beprovided to indicate the currently-selected more. Indicators 1602 maybe, for example, a separate light for each mode, or a single lighthaving a changeable characteristic such as color or intensity, or atransient indicator such as a different number of blinks or an audibleindicator when the mode is changed. The embodiment of FIG. 16illustrates indicators 1602 as three tri-color LEDs (i.e., LEDscontrollably capable of emitting one of three different colors), whichare each illuminated once the thermometer has finished taking themeasurement. In the illustrated embodiment, each of indicators 1602corresponds to a respective measurement mode, with the color (green,yellow, or red) of each LED indicating normal, low fever, or high feverfor the respective measurement mode.

Another embodiment of mode select switch 150 may include usage of atouchscreen, a touchscreen being an electronic visual display that candetect the pressure and location of a touch within the display area.Touching the touchscreen of electronic thermometer 100 with a finger orhand can be used to select and/or switch between the availablemeasurement modes.

Another embodiment of mode select switch 150 may include usage of one ormore photosensor(s) or photodetector(s), such that touching, waving,and/or holding finger/hand over the device is operable to select and/orswitch between the available measurement modes. This can include lightsensors such as photoresistors, photodiodes, phototransistors, etc.

Another embodiment of mode select switch 150 may include usage of amotion sensor, such that moving and/or shaking the device using the handor finger in a manner which allows the user to select and/or switchbetween the available measurement modes. This can include any type ofmotion sensors such as accelerometers, gyro, proximity sensor, etc.

Another embodiment of mode select switch 150 may include usage of aproximity sensor, such that touching, waving and/or holding thefinger/hand or other object near the device acts to select a desiredoperating mode of electronic thermometer 100. This can includes any typeof proximity sensors.

Another embodiment of mode select switch 150 may be an audible detector,such that speaking to the electronic thermometer 100 or providing aspecific sound such as a clicking sound allows the user to select and/orswitch between the available measurement modes. This can includemicrophones and any other audio/frequency sensors.

A mode selection switch 150 that is actuated by electrical methods(e.g., a touchscreen, photosensor, motion sensor, proximity sensor,audible detector, etc.) may be settable to a desired mode only whenelectrical power is supplied at least to the mode selection switch 150,for instance by first turning on the electronic thermometer 100.

Another embodiment of switching between the available measurement modesmay include usage of a device external to, but in communication with,electronic thermometer 100. In this embodiment, the external device mayinclude any of the embodiments of mode select switch 150 discussedabove. The external device then communicates an identification of theselected measurement mode to electronic thermometer 100, and optionallycan receive a status or feedback from the electronic thermometer 100.The communication between the external device and the electronicthermometer 100 may be implemented at a physical level by way ofwireless communication (RF, Bluetooth, etc) or with wired communication(cable, cradle, etc.).

As discussed above, the electronic thermometer 100 also includes outputindicator(s) 151 a and/or 151 b which provides an output feedbackindicator to the patient, attendant, etc. indicating whether thepatient's temperature is within certain predetermined ranges (e.g.,“normal”, “fever,” “high fever”) depending upon the selected measurementmode.

In one embodiment, the output indicator 151 a may include an LED orlight source to provide user feedback during measurement mode selectionor when displaying a final temperature reading corresponding to adesired measurement mode.

In one embodiment, the output indicator 151 b may include graphic and/ortext included in the LCD 120, or color (backlight) shown on the productdisplay, to communicate measurement mode selection or when displaying afinal temperature reading corresponding to a desired measurement mode.

In one embodiment, the output indicator 151 a may include a shapemolded, embossed, or otherwise attached to the product housing in orderto communicate the measurement mode selection. For instance, if aseparate light source is provided to indicate the status of a respectivemeasurement mode, then a shape may be molded on a surface of theelectronic thermometer adjacent or near to the respective light source.

In one embodiment, the output indicator 151 a may include an audiblefeedback to communicate the measurement mode selection or whendisplaying final temperature reading corresponding to a desiredmeasurement mode. The audible feedback may include any type of soundsuch as beeps, songs, and word(s) in a desired language. The words, forinstance, may say “infant,” “toddler,” “adult,” etc. Any characteristicof the audible feedback can be varied, for instance tone/beep/buzz etc.,number of the same, duration, loudness, repetition, frequency, chirp,etc. Characteristics perceived as more alarming can be used for moresevere measured conditions.

In one embodiment, the output indicator 151 a may include mechanicalfeedback (e.g., vibration). The mechanical feedback may includemechanical movement by the thermometer to communicate the measurementmode selection or when displaying final temperature readingcorresponding to a desired measurement mode. Characteristics of thefeedback such as frequency, duration, intensity, repetition, delaybetween repetitions, etc. can be useful to mechanically communicate themeasurement mode.

In one embodiment, the light emitting element 124 is capable ofgenerating different colored light to backlight the display 106. Forexample, the light emitting element 122 can generate a first, second,third, and fourth color. The first color can be white and is illuminatedonce the power/initialization button 117 is pressed. The powerinitialization button 117 activates the thermometer 100 or resets it foranother reading. The first color of the light emitting element 124 canindicate that the thermometer 100 is ready to read a temperature. Thesecond color, which in an embodiment is green, can correspond to anmeasurement mode-dependent temperature range that corresponds to a“normal” temperature range for the selected measurement mode.

The third color emitted by the light emitting element 124 can be yellowand can indicate that the patient has a low fever and is “warmer” thannormal for the selected measurement mode. The fourth color, which can bered, indicates a high fever for the selected measurement mode.

Alternately, the first through fourth colors can be generated byindividual light emitting elements, each generating a separate color, orby combining colors to generate the first through fourth color.

Further, the thermometer 100 can use various routines or algorithms todetermine the temperature of the patient, such as a “peak and hold” anda “predictive” algorithm, both of which are described below. Theactivation of the backlight emitting element 124 of the display 106 canbe separate from or linked to the temperature determining routine.Typical routines take constant or intermittent readings from thetemperature sensing element 102, apply an algorithm to these readings,and send a display of a sensed temperature Ts once the algorithm hasdetermined that a temperature of the patient has been determined.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method to activate the backlight emitting element124. The thermometer 100 can begin the temperature reading cycle (step200) and the processor 104 can take the readings from the temperaturesensing element 102. The processor can look for a temperature increase(step 202) and if a temperature increase is detected, it applies thealgorithm to the readings (step 204). If the processor 104 detects atemperature decrease, it determines if the decrease is greater than orequal to a preprogrammed threshold (step 206). If the temperature dropis greater than or equal to the preprogrammed threshold, the processor104 activates the backlight emitting element 124 (step 208). The reasonfor activating the light emitting element 124 when a temperature dropmeets or exceeds the predetermined threshold, is that this is anindicator that the thermometer has been removed from the patient. Whenthe thermometer is removed from the patient, the thermometer typicallyundergoes a temperature drop since it is going from the relatively warmbody environment to the relatively cooler air outside the body. If thetemperature drop is not greater than or equal to the threshold, theprocessor 104 continues to take readings (step 210) to determine if thetemperature is increasing or decreasing.

Alternatively, once the algorithm is complete (step 212), the processorlooks for a decrease in temperature (step 214) and if the temperaturedrop is greater than or equal to the preprogrammed threshold (step 216),the processor 104 activates the backlight emitting element 124 (step208). If the temperature drop is not greater than or equal to thethreshold, the processor 104 continues to take readings (step 218) todetermine if the temperature is decreasing.

Additionally, the patient may remove the thermometer in the middle of atemperature read. If this occurs, the processor 104 detects that thetemperature which was increasing is suddenly decreasing (step 220) andcan interrupt the algorithm to make the threshold determination (step206) and activate the backlight emitting element 124 (step 208). In afurther embodiment, the processor 104 waits a predetermined amount oftime after the readings have dropped (for example, 6, 16, or 32 seconds)before beginning to check for the threshold in order to turn on thebacklight emitting element 124.

In one embodiment, the temperature sampling routine can implement a“peak and hold” algorithm based on the temperatures indicated by thetemperature sensing element 102. The temperature measured by thetemperature sensing element 102 must remain stable within a fixedtemperature range over a time period. For example, the temperaturereading must stay within 0.1° F. for a minimum of 10 seconds. It is tobe appreciated by those skilled in the art that other stability windowscould also be used to determine that the measurement is stable.

Another temperature sampling routine can be a “predictive” algorithm.This algorithm looks not only at the temperature increase, but at howfast the temperature is increasing. Using change in time and temperature(e.g., the slope of a time vs. temperature curve), the processor 104 candetermine what the final temperature should be and display thattemperature instead of waiting for the readings to actually reach thefinal temperature. The backlight activation method of the presentinvention can be incorporated into either algorithm.

The preprogrammed threshold can be based on temperature, time, or numberof readings. The temperature threshold can be if the temperature dropsbetween about 0.1 to about 5° (either Fahrenheit or Centigrade). In oneembodiment, the threshold temperature amount is about 0.1° Alternately,the threshold can be determined based on the amount of time it takes toachieve a significant drop in temperature without having the patientwait too long for the backlight to activate. This time can vary betweenabout 1 to about 6 seconds.

Further, the threshold can be the number of readings in which thetemperature drops. The number of readings can vary between 1 and about10,000, depending on the sampling rate of the thermometer and the lengthof time the thermometer is sampling. Thus, if the processor reads one ormore temperatures where the current reading decreases from the previousreading, the backlight is triggered.

In another embodiment, the backlight may be activated prior to thedetection of a sufficient temperature drop. For instance, the backlightmay be activated when the temperature readings plateau, or when the rateof increase of the temperature readings drops below a predeterminedpositive rate, or when the “predictive” algorithm has determined thefinal temperature. This may correspond to a time when the temperaturemeasurement is substantially completed, and/or a time when thethermometer has been removed, prior to the occurrence of a sufficientdrop in temperature. Such an early activation of the backlight may alsoserve as an indicator to the patient or an attendant that themeasurement is completed and that the thermometer may be removed fromthe measurement location. Other completion indicators may also be used,such as beeps, etc.

In another embodiment, such algorithmic activation of the backlight maybe combined with a human-controllable switch to allow for manualactivation of the backlight. Manual activation may be desirable if,e.g., the patient or attendant wants to view the current measuredtemperature in order to estimate the remaining time until completion ofthe temperature measurement.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate another embodiment of the thermometer 300. Atemperature sensing element 302 is connected to a powered processor 304and/or a display 306. The components are housed in a case 308 having aprobe section 310 and a body section 312. The body section 312 caninclude an output mode indicator 350 (similar to that of FIG. 1), apower/initialization button 317 and the temperature sensing element 302is mounted at the end of probe section 310.

The processor 304 can receive signals from temperature sensing element302 related to the temperature of the patient. The processor 304 canconvert the signals to a temperature in either Fahrenheit or Centigrade.The processor 304 can also include a memory 318 for storing ranges oftemperatures and can compare the currently read temperature to thestored temperatures to determine which element of display 306 toilluminate. The memory 318 can also store one or more previously readtemperatures. In an embodiment, memory activation button 332 can bedepressed after a reading to store the reading and can be depressedafterwards to recall the stored reading and cycle through numerous otherstored readings.

The display 306 can include a translucent liquid crystal display (LCD)320. LCD 320 can be any shape, including rectangular and octagonal andcan be a “reverse” LCD. A reverse LCD lights the numerals of the displayinstead of the background. This increases the visibility and viewingangle of the LCD 320.

The display 306 can further include a transparent or translucent lens322. In an embodiment, the lens 322 can be circular, elliptical, or anyother shape to form the display 306. One or more lighting elements 324,e.g., LEDs, are disposed in the display 306 and peripheral to LCD 320.The light emitting element 324 edge lights the display 306 to illuminatethe LCD 320.

In one embodiment, using only FIGS. 3A-3C the light emitting element 324is capable of generating different colored light to edge light thedisplay 306. For example, the light emitting element 324 can generate afirst, second, and third color. The first color 326, illustrated in FIG.3A, which in an embodiment is green, can correspond to a range oftemperatures indicating a “normal” temperature of the patient. Thesecond color 328 emitted by the light emitting element 324 can be yellowand can indicate that the patient is “warmer” than normal, asillustrated in FIG. 3B. FIG. 3C illustrates the third color 330, whichcan be red, and indicates a fever. The temperature range correspondingto each of the first, second and third colors, respectively can bedictated by the preferred location to read the temperature of thepatient and the age of the patient. Different age groups of patients aswell as whether the temperature is taken orally, rectally, or axillarycan dictate different ranges of temperatures considered normal, warm andfever. Additionally, more than one light emitting element can correspondto the chosen temperature range or multiple light emitting elements canbe illuminated at one time. Each color can be a separate light emittingelement, one element can emit all of the colors, or combinations oflight emitting elements can form one or more colors.

In another embodiment, using FIGS. 3A-3D, the light emitting elements324 are capable of generating a first, second, third, and fourth color.The first color 326 can be white and is illuminated once thepower/initialization button 317 is pressed. The power initializationbutton 317 activates the thermometer 300 or resets it for anotherreading. The first color 326 of the light emitting elements 324 canindicate that the thermometer 300 is ready to read a temperature.Further, the first color 326, which in an embodiment, can be white, canindicate an incomplete reading was taken from the fact that the sensedtemperature Ts is less than 97° F. The second color 328, which in anembodiment is green, can correspond to temperatures ranging between97-98.9° F. Thus, the second color can indicate a “normal” temperatureof the patient.

The third color 330 emitted by the light emitting elements 324 can beyellow and can indicate that the patient is “warmer” than normal. Atypical “warm” temperature range is 99.0-100.9° F. The fourth color 334,which can be red, indicates a fever where the temperature of the patientis greater than 101.0° F.

Alternately, the first through fourth colors 326, 328, 330, 334 can begenerated by individual light emitting elements, each generating aseparate color, or by combining colors to generate the first throughfourth colors.

FIG. 4 illustrates the method of activating the backlight emittingelements for an exemplary four color scheme. Thermometer 300 can usevarious temperature sampling routines to determine the temperature ofthe patient, including the “peak and hold” and “predictive” routinesdescribed above. The activation of the light emitting elements 324 toilluminate the display 306 can be separate from or linked to thetemperature sampling routine.

The method includes the thermometer 300 lighting the first color 326 toindicate that the thermometer 300 is ready to read a temperature fromthe temperature sensing element 302 (step 400). In one embodiment, thefirst color 326 can remain illuminated throughout the entire read cycle.However, certain thermometers do not have enough battery power to keepthe light emitting elements 324 illuminated at the same time a readingis being taken. If battery power is an issue, the first color 326 lightemitting element 324 can be shut off after a specific amount of time oronce the temperature reading is begun. The temperature reading cyclebegins (step 402) and the processor 304 can take the readings from thetemperature sensing element 302. The processor 304 applies an algorithm(step 404) and looks for a temperature change (step 406). If thetemperature is increasing or steady, the processor 304 determines if thetemperature reading has ended (step 408) and may continue to apply thealgorithm (step 410). If the processor 304 detects a temperaturedecrease, it determines if the decrease is greater than a preprogrammedthreshold (step 412). If the temperature drop is greater than to equalto the preprogrammed threshold, the processor 304 activates the firstcolor 326 (step 414). If the temperature drop is not greater than orequal to the threshold, the processor 304 continues to take readings(step 416) to determine if the temperature is increasing or decreasing.

Once the algorithm has ended, the processor 304 determines the sensedtemperature Ts (step 418). Then the processor 304 looks for a decreasein temperature (step 420) and if the temperature drop is greater than orequal to a preprogrammed threshold (step 422). The processor 304compares the sensed temperature Ts to a first range (step 424) and ifthe sensed temperature falls within the first range, the second color328 is illuminated (step 426). If the sensed temperature Ts does notfall within the first range, the processor 304 determines if it fallswithin a second range (step 428), and if so, illuminates the third color330 (step 430). If the sensed temperature Ts does not fall within thesecond range, the processor 304 determines if it falls within a thirdrange (step 432), and if so, illuminates the fourth color 334 (step434). If the sensed temperature Ts does not fall within the threeranges, the first color can be illuminated (step 436).

For example, when a patient activates the thermometer, a white lightemitting element can be activated. The processor starts a temperatureread and can optionally turn off the white light emitting element. Ifthe patient removes the thermometer in the middle of the temperatureread, the processor detects the decrease in temperature and activatesthe white light emitting element. If the patient leaves the thermometerin place until the temperature reading is complete, the processor thenwaits to detect a temperature decrease. Once the patient removes thethermometer from the temperature sensing position, the temperature ofthe temperature sensing element drops, which is detected by theprocessor. The processor detects the drop and determines if the drop islarger than or equal to the preprogrammed threshold. If the drop matchesthe threshold, the processor determines if the sensed temperature fallswithin the above-discussed predetermined ranges. The processor thenilluminates either the green, yellow, or red light emitting elementdepending on which range the sensed temperature falls into.

In a further embodiment, the processor waits a predetermined amount oftime after the readings have dropped (for example, 6, 16, or 32 seconds)before beginning to check for the threshold temperature drop.

The preprogrammed threshold can be based on temperature, time, or numberof readings. The temperature threshold can be if the temperature dropsbetween about 0.1 to about 5° (either Fahrenheit or Centigrade). In oneembodiment, the threshold temperature amount is about 0.1°. Alternately,the threshold can be determined based on the amount of time it takes toachieve a significant drop in temperature without having the patientwait too long for the backlight to activate. This time can vary betweenabout 1 to about 6 seconds.

Further, the threshold can be the number of readings in which thetemperature drops. The number of readings can vary between 1 and about10,000 depending on the sampling rate of the thermometer and the lengthof time the thermometer is sampling. Thus, if the processor reads one ormore temperatures where the current reading decreases from the previousreading, the light emitting element is triggered.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, an embodiment of an electronic thermometer800 for use with a living being is illustrated. A temperature sensingelement 802 is connected to a powered processor 804 and/or a display806. The components are housed in a rigid plastic case 808 having aprobe section 810 and a body section 812.

The processor 804 and display 806, and in one embodiment a battery (notillustrated), are secured in the body section 812 of rigid case 808along with an access door 814, optionally provided for batteryreplacement. Further, body section 812 can include apower/initialization button (not illustrated). Temperature sensingelement 802 is mounted at the end of probe section 810 and covered witha conductive cap 816.

Processor 804 can receive signals from temperature sensing element 802related to the temperature of the living being, i.e., the patient.Processor 804 can convert the signals to a temperature in eitherFahrenheit or Centigrade. The processor 804 can also include a memory818 for storing ranges of temperatures and corresponding colors for thedisplay 806. Processor 804 can compare the currently read temperature tothe stored temperatures and corresponding colors to determine whichelement of display 806 to illuminate.

Display 806 includes multiple lighting elements, which in an embodiment,can be light emitting diodes (LEDs) or similar light emitting elements.In one embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the first lightemitting element 820, is a first color. A second light emitting element822 is a second color, a third light emitting element 824 is a thirdcolor and a fourth light emitting element 826 is a fourth color.

In one embodiment, the first color of the first light emitting element820 can be white and is illuminated once the power/initialization buttonis pressed. The power initialization button activates the thermometer800 or resets it for another reading. Light emitting element 820 canindicate that the thermometer 800 is ready to read a temperature. Secondlight emitting element 822 can illuminate a second color, which in anembodiment is green. The temperature corresponding to the second colorcan be temperatures ranging between 97-98.9° F. Thus, the second colorcan indicate a “normal” temperature of the patient.

The third color emitted by the third light emitting element 824 can beyellow and can indicate that the patient is “warmer” than normal. Atypical range is 99.0-100.9° F. The fourth light emitting element 826can have the fourth color of red indicating a fever where thetemperature of the patient is greater than 101.0° F.

In use with a rectal thermometer embodiment, the user presses thepower/initialization button and waits for the first light emittingelement 820 to light indicating that thermometer 800 is ready to read atemperature. The user places probe section 802 and the tip 816 incontact with the patient's rectal region, and within the anal canal, tosense the temperature thereof. As the processor 804 receives thetemperature signal, it accesses memory 818 to determine the range inwhich the read temperature falls. Processor 804 then intermittentlylights second light emitting element 822 as the temperature is beingread. The flashing second light emitting element 822 indicates that thereading is not complete. Once the reading is complete, second lightemitting element 822 can be illuminated steadily, indicating to the userthat the reading is complete and that the temperature of the patentfalls within the “green” range.

If the temperature of the patient increases during the reading, thethird or fourth light emitting elements 824, 826 can also beintermittently lit. Thus, the third light emitting element 824 can flashand steadily illuminate the third color while the reading is within therange calibrated for the third color. Further, if the temperature of thepatient dictates, the fourth light emitting element 826 can flash andthen turn steady to indicate that the reading is complete and thepatient has a fever. Thus, as the reading is being taken, the lightemitting elements transition from the first to the fourth color whileflashing and then steadily illuminate the light emitting elementcorresponding to the actual temperature of the patient.

In alternate embodiments, the processor 802 starts by lighting the firstlight emitting element 820 in one of a steady or intermediate fashionand just lights a designated light emitting element 822, 824, 826 asdictated by the final temperature of the patient. The light emittingelement is illuminated in a steady state to only indicate the finalactual temperature of the patient.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, another embodiment of an electronic thermometer900 for use with a living being is illustrated. A temperature sensingelement 902 is connected to a powered processor 904 and display 906. Thecomponents are housed in a case 908 (typically rigid plastic) having aprobe section 910 and a handle section 912. Handle section 912 caninclude a grip 914.

Temperature sensing element 902 is mounted at the end of probe section910 and covered with a conductive cap 916 (typically metal, e.g. nickelor stainless steel). The processor 904 and display 906, and in oneembodiment a battery (not illustrated), are secured in the handlesection 912 of rigid case 908 along with an access door, optionallyprovided for battery replacement (not illustrated). Further, handlesection 912 can include a power/initialization button 917.

Processor 904 can receive signals from temperature sensing element 902related to the temperature of the patient. Processor 904 can convert thesignals to a temperature in either Fahrenheit or Centigrade. Theprocessor 904 can also include a memory 918 storing ranges oftemperatures and corresponding colors for display 906. Processor 902 cancompare the currently read temperature to the stored temperatures todetermine which element of display 906 to illuminate.

Display 906 includes multiple lighting elements, which in an embodiment,can be light emitting diodes (LEDs) or similar light emitting elements.In one embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, the first light emittingelement 920, is a first color. Second light emitting elements 922A-922Care a second color, third light emitting elements 924A-924C are a thirdcolor and fourth light emitting elements 926A-926C are a fourth color.

In an embodiment, the first color of the first light emitting element920 can be white and is illuminated once the power/initialization button917 is pressed. Light emitting element 290 can indicate that thethermometer 900 is ready to read a temperature. Second light emittingelements 922A-922C can illuminate a second color, green. The temperaturecorresponding to the second color can be temperatures ranging between97-98.9° F. The temperature range can be divided evenly across thesecond light emitting elements 922A-922C wherein second light emittingelement 922A corresponds to a range of 97-97.6° F., second lightemitting element 922B corresponds to a range of 97.7-98.3° F., andsecond light emitting element 922C corresponds to a range of 98.4-98.9°F. A second color can indicate a “normal” temperature of the patient.The third color can be yellow and can indicate that the patient is“warmer” than normal. A typical range for the third color is 99.0-100.3°F. and can again be divided between the third light emitting elements924A-924C. Fourth light emitting elements 926A-926C can have the fourthcolor of red. This can indicate a fever and a range of 100.4 to greaterthan 101.0° F.

In use with an oral thermometer embodiment, the user pressespower/initialization button 917 and waits for the first light emittingelement 920 to light. In an embodiment, once the white light is lit, thethermometer 900 is ready to read a temperature. The user places theprobe section 910 in the patient's mouth and disposes the tip 916 withtemperature sensing element 902 under the patient's tongue to beginreading the patient's temperature. As the processor 904 receives thetemperature signal it accesses memory 918 to determine the temperatureranges, compares the read temperature against the ranges, and determineswhich light emitting element to illuminate. Processor 904 then canincrementally light second light emitting elements 922A-922C as thetemperature increases. If the temperature of the patient increases, thethird and fourth light emitting elements 924A-924C and 926A-926C mayalso be incrementally lit. Processor 904 determines that the finaltemperature of the patient is reached and the light emitting elementcorresponding to the final temperature range cane illuminated steadilyor blinks to indicate that the reading is complete.

Embodiments include changing the color scheme to be any range of colors.Alternately, all of the first through fourth light emitting elements canbe one element capable of emitting a range of colors. The light emittingelements of the oral thermometer 900 embodiment can be differing shadesof the same base color. For example, second light emitting element 922Acan be a darker green than second light emitting element 922C. The sameshading scheme can be used for third and fourth light emitting elements924A-924C and 926A-926C. Further, multiple light emitting elements canbe illuminated to form the necessary colors. An embodiment can utilize acolor scale of blue, green and yellow, where blue and yellow lightemitting elements illuminate to form the green color in the display.Further, intensities of certain base colors can be used to form any andevery color. For example, combinations of red, blue and green can formmany colors of the spectrum and these base colors can be used solely tobe combined to form the first through fourth colors of the aboveembodiments. The base colors themselves may not be a color in theselected range.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the display 306/806/906. A singlelight emitting element 500 can be illuminated, either steadily orintermittently, and a colored filter 502 can be passed over the lightemitting element 500 to display varying colors. For example, singlelight emitting element 500 can emit white light and colored filter 502can have a clear portion 504, a first color portion 506 (e.g., green), asecond color portion 508 (e.g., yellow) and a third color portion 510(e.g., red).

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of thermometer 600. Thermometer600 can include many of the elements of the previous thermometers 100,200, 300, 400 and can also include a patient adjustment scale 602 aspart of or in addition to temperature display 604. Patient adjustmentbutton 606 can be depressed to cycle between, for example, infant, childand adult temperature ranges. Thus, the ranges stored in memory 608 andaccessed by processor 610 can vary by age of the patient. Thus, the usercan change the set-points of the light emitting elements based on theage of the patient.

A further embodiment can change the set-points stored in memory 608based on the placement of the temperature probe 612. A location display614 can indicate where the user intends to place the thermometer to readthe patient's temperature. Different temperature readings indicate afever at different locations on the patient. For example, a temperatureof 100.4° F. (38° C.) measured rectally corresponds to 99.5° F. (37.5°C.) measured orally which corresponds to a temperature of 99° F. (37.2°C.) measured in an axillary position. Location adjustment button 616 canbe depressed to cycle through the available options for location.

Alternate embodiments include depressing only power/initializationbutton 918 to select all adjustment options and having just patient andlocation adjustment buttons 906, 916 as incremental switches without acorresponding display 902, 914. Additionally, all options, includingtemperature, patient, and location can be displayed using only onedisplay to alternately display each set of options. Further, in anembodiment, only the display for the patient or location options can bean LCD display. Furthermore, the temperature ranges are exemplary onlyand can be changed to any given range.

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b illustrate another embodiment of an electronicthermometer 700. A temperature sensing element 702 is connected to apowered processor 704 and/or a display 706. The components are housed ina plastic case 708 having a distal end 710 and a proximal end 712. Thebody section 712 can include a power/initialization button 717 and thetemperature sensing element 702 is mounted at the distal end 710.

The processor 704 can receive signals from temperature sensing element702 related to the temperature of the patient. The processor 704 canconvert the signals to a temperature in either Fahrenheit or Centigrade.The processor 704 can also include a memory 718 for storing ranges oftemperatures and can compare the currently read temperature to thestored temperatures to determine which element of display 706 toilluminate. The memory 718 can also store one or more previously readtemperatures.

The display 706 can include a transparent or translucent lens 722disposed on the proximal end 712. In one embodiment, the lens 722 isdisposed at the far proximal end. Also, in an embodiment, the lens 722can be circular, elliptical, or any other shape to form the display 706.One or more lighting elements 724, e.g., LEDs, are disposed in thedisplay 706 and under lens 722.

In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10 b, the display 706 can alsoinclude a translucent liquid crystal display (LCD) 720. LCD 720 can beany shape, including rectangular and octagonal and can be a “reverse”LCD. A reverse LCD lights the numerals of the display instead of thebackground. This increases the visibility and viewing angle of the LCD720. The LCD can be used to display the actual temperature reading. TheLCD 720 can be peripheral to lens 722.

In one embodiment, the light emitting element 724 is capable ofgenerating different colored light to light the display 706. Forexample, the light emitting element 724 can generate a first, second,and third color. The first color can be green to correspond to a“normal” range of temperatures of the patient. The second color can beyellow and indicate a “warmer” than normal temperature. The third colorcan be red to indicate a fever.

Other embodiments can use elements from any of the above embodimentswith elements of the other embodiments. For example, thermometer 900 anhave a memory to store previous temperature reading, thermometers 100,300, 800 can have patient and location options, and any of the displayscan optionally display the actual temperature or only display the colorsof the light emitting elements.

Further embodiments include sequentially lighting the display. Thus, asthe temperature is being taken, the first light emitting element isilluminated, and remains illuminated even as the second light emittingelement is illuminated. This pattern continues until all the lightemitting elements are illuminated or the temperature of the patient isreached. Thus, the last light emitting element lit indicates thetemperature, while the previous light emitting elements remain lit. Inan alternate embodiment, the light emitting element is illuminated whenthe temperature reading corresponds to that element and then is turnedoff as the next light emitting elements is illuminated based on thecorresponding temperature reading.

Additionally, in the embodiments having both an LCD and light emittingelements, the processor can read the temperature from the temperaturesensing element and display the temperature on both the LCD andilluminate the light emitting elements independent of the display on theother. Thus, the light emitting elements can be illuminated based solelyon the temperature reading and not based on the reading displayed on theLCD. Thus, this acts as a failsafe wherein if one display is damaged theother can still display an accurate temperature. Alternately, theillumination of the light emitting elements can be based on thetemperature displayed on the LCD. This removes the possibility of aninconsistent display wherein the LCD displays a temperature and a lightemitting element that does not correspond to that temperature isilluminated. Furthermore, an embodiment only flashes the light emittingelements, the LCD display does not flash in response to the temperatureranges. The LCD can flash to indicate that the temperature is beingread, or alternately, that the reading is complete. However, theflashing of the LCD is not related to the magnitude of the temperaturebeing read.

Further embodiments place the light emitting elements anywhere in bodysection of the thermometer to illuminate the face of the display,including the LCD. Also, an embodiment has both an LCD and lightemitting elements in the display, but the elements are separate so thatthe LCD displays the temperature and is not illuminated by the lightemitting elements and the light emitting elements illuminate separatefrom the LCD.

Additional embodiments include continuously updating which lightemitting element to illuminate as the temperature is being read. Thus,as the temperature of the patient is being taken, the light emittingelements can be correspondingly or sequentially lit until the finallight emitting element is illuminated in response to the finaltemperature. Alternately, the light emitting element is not lit untilthe final temperature reading is determined.

Embodiments can include changing the color scheme to be any range ofcolors. Alternately, all of the light emitting elements can be oneelement capable of emitting a range of colors. The light emittingelements can be differing shades of the same base color. For example,the second color can be a darker green than first color. The sameshading scheme can be used for third and fourth light emitting elements.

Further, multiple light emitting elements can be illuminated to form thenecessary colors. An embodiment can utilize a color scale of blue, greenand yellow, where blue and yellow light emitting elements illuminate toform the green color in the display. Further, intensities of certainbase colors can be used to form any and every color. For example,combinations of red, blue and green can form many colors of the spectrumand these base colors can be used solely to be combined to form thefirst through fourth colors of the above embodiments. The base colorsthemselves may not be a color in the selected range.

While there have been shown, described, and pointed out fundamentalnovel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodimentthereof, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions,and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and intheir operation, may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, it isexpressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or stepswhich perform substantially the same function, in substantially the sameway, to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention.Substitutions of elements from one described embodiment to another arealso fully intended and contemplated. It is also to be understood thatthe drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but that they aremerely conceptual in nature. It is the intention, therefore, to belimited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

The claimed invention is: 1-55. (canceled)
 56. A method of measuring a temperature of a living being, comprising the steps of: placing a temperature sensor at a predetermined location on or in the living being, the temperature sensor coupled to a processor to produce a sensor signal; selecting one operating mode from among the plurality of operating modes, to produce a selected operating mode, wherein the selected operating mode comprises at least one temperature range; indicating, by use of a first indicator coupled to the processor, the selected operating mode; waiting a period of time determined by the processor from the sensor signal; and converting, by use of the processor, the sensor signal into the temperature of the living being.
 57. The method of claim 56, wherein selecting the operating mode is based upon age of the living being.
 58. The method of claim 56, wherein selecting the operating mode is based upon a trait of the living being.
 59. The method of claim 56, wherein selecting the operating mode is based upon a location of the temperature sensor on or in the living being.
 60. The method of claim 56, further comprising: receiving a control signal from a remote device; providing the control signal to the processor; and selecting an operating mode based upon the control signal.
 61. The method of claim 56, further comprising: transmitting a status to a remote device.
 62. The method of claim 56, wherein the step of selecting one operating mode comprises actuating a hall-effect switch.
 63. The method of claim 56, wherein the step of selecting one operating mode comprises actuating a slidable switch.
 64. The method of claim 56, wherein the step of selecting one operating mode comprises actuating a thumbwheel switch.
 65. The method of claim 56, wherein the step of selecting one operating mode comprises actuating an audible detector.
 66. The method of claim 56, wherein the step of selecting one operating mode comprises actuating a pressure-sensitive detector.
 67. The method of claim 56, wherein the step of selecting one operating mode comprises actuating a touch-sensitive portion of a screen-based user interface.
 68. The method of claim 56, wherein the step of selecting one operating mode comprises actuating a rotatable switch on a major surface of the thermometer, the switch rotatable within a plane of the major surface.
 69. The method of claim 56, wherein the step of indicating the selected operating mode comprises actuating a light-emitting device.
 70. The method of claim 56, wherein the step of indicating the selected operating mode comprises actuating an audible device.
 71. The method of claim 56, further comprising: externally indicating a temperature range that corresponds to the temperature of the living being.
 72. The method of claim 71, wherein the step of externally indicating the temperature range comprises stimulating a light-emitting device.
 73. The method of claim 71, wherein the step of externally indicating the temperature range comprises stimulating an audible device.
 74. The method of claim 71, wherein the step of externally indicating the temperature range comprises stimulating at least a portion of a screen of a screen-based user interface. 75-77. (canceled) 